Coin of Trapezus under Elagabalus 218 - 219

Editor: Here we have a coin from Trapezus under Elagabalus, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It has a weathered surface, but I'm intrigued by the figures depicted. What compositional elements stand out to you? Curator: The bilateral symmetry is critical; two distinct yet related images inhabit each face. Note the lines, how they delineate the bust of Elagabalus on one side and a figure on horseback on the other. The materiality of the coin itself, its circular form, acts as a unifying element. Editor: So, the form dictates how we perceive the imagery? Curator: Precisely. The circularity imposes constraints, prompting a specific type of figuration. The wear and tear, the patina, alter the intended visual language. What new meanings emerge in this contrast between the original design and its current state? Editor: I never considered the weathering as part of the composition itself. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: My pleasure! Approaching art formally allows a more nuanced appreciation.